Voters in Botswana have delivered a significant blow to the country’s long-standing ruling party, marking a major political shift in the diamond-rich southern African nation.
The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has been in power since the country’s independence in 1966, has secured only one parliamentary seat as of early Friday morning.
It appears poised to be succeeded by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
President Mokgweetsi Masisi has acknowledged the defeat, stating that it was evident his party had suffered a “massive” loss in Wednesday’s general election.
Despite overseeing a period of substantial change in Botswana, recent economic challenges, including poor growth and high unemployment, have diminished the BDP’s popularity.
“I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process ahead of inauguration,” Masisi said in a press conference on Friday.
“I wish to congratulate the opposition on their victories and concede the elections. I am proud of our democratic processes and I respect the will of the people.”
He has urged his supporters to remain calm and rally behind the new government.
UDC and other opposition party supporters have been celebrating in the capital, Gaborone, and elsewhere in the country.
“I did not ever think I would witness this change in my life,” 23-year-old student Mpho Mogorosi who had gone onto the streets of Gaborone told the Reuters news agency.
“The BDP had stayed too long in power and I am proud to be part of the people that removed them for a better Botswana,” she said.
The UDC, led by human rights lawyer Duma Boko, has won 25 seats, according to the early tallies.
The party will have the most seats in parliament and could pass the 31-seat threshold for an outright majority.
It has pledged to adopt a new economic strategy that creates well-paying jobs and distributes wealth that empowers all citizens.
Kgoberego Nkawana, just elected as a UDC MP, told the BBC’s Newsday programme that many young people in Botswana remained jobless despite huge deposits of diamonds and a fairly thriving tourism industry in the country.
“The unemployment rate is very very high and people are living literally on handouts from government because there are no jobs. So it’s really bad,” Nkawana said.
The party has pledged to generate between 450,000 and 500,000 jobs over the next five years.
The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), which has the backing of former President Ian Khama, who broke away from the BDP, has secured five seats so far, while the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has obtained seven seats at this point.
As Members of Parliament elect the president in Botswana, Boko is poised to become the next head of state when parliament convenes for the first time.
Masisi, who has been in office since 2018, led the BDP’s unsuccessful campaign.
The president promoted the idea that his party could bring about “change,” but not enough voters were convinced that the BDP could address the country’s needs.
Official results are anticipated to be released by the electoral commission later on Friday.